Presidents Race Auditions 2008

On February 18 (Presidents Day, of course), the Washington Nationals held auditions for the 2008 season. Fifty-five finalists were selected from a pool of 120 applicants to take part in the day’s auditions at RFK Stadium. Finalists donned costumes of racing presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abe Lincoln, but Teddy Roosevelt was conspicuously absent. Video by YouTube member NationalsPride.

This funny video by YouTube user BobbleheadElection features a profile of the 2008 presidents race auditions by Keith Olberman on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olberman.

Teddy Cheats on Opening Day at Nationals Park

For the inaugural opening day game at Nationals Park, hopes were high for Teddy to grab his first victory. At the new stadium, the course was altered, with the presidents being introduced from center field and racing around the warning track then down the first base line. Teddy, however, took off straight across center field. There’s no way to know if he would have been disqualified for cheating, because he still managed to lose to George after stopping to chat with Atlanta Braves centerfielder Mark Kotsay. Video by YouTube user incurablydishonest.

Teddy Roots for the Capitals from the Penalty Box

On Sunday, April 13, the Washington Nationals hosted the Atlanta Braves on the same afternoon that the Washington Capitals were taking on the Philadelphia Flyers just up the street in their first round Stanley Cup playoff series. Teddy chose to support the other home team that day, rooting for his Capitals from a penalty box along the first base line. Teddy attempted to jump out and sprint to the finish, hockey stick in hand, but fell short in the end. Video by YouTube user mykolm.

Teddy Pulls a Hamstring

On Wednesday, April 23, in a Nationals game vs. the New York Mets, Teddy Roosevelt was leading midway through the race when he suddenly grabbed his right hamstring and began limping. Tragically, Abraham Lincoln raced past him as Teddy dropped quickly to last place. Video by YouTube user rtdev1.

Teddy Cheats by Cutting the Outfield Corner (2 views)

On Friday, April 25, during a Nationals game against the Chicago Cubs, Teddy got a quick jump on the field and took a huge lead into the right field turn. Unfortunately, Teddy tried to ensure his victory by leaving the warning track and cutting across the outfield corner. This resulted in immediate disqualification as he crossed the finish line. The perspectives of the 2 videos show why fans on the first base line thought Teddy had won and booed his disqualification. Video by YouTube user QuakerWildcat.

Panther Leaps from the Stands, Attacks Teddy

On Sunday, April 27, during game against the Chicago Cubs, Teddy took another huge lead and was leading the race in the home stretch when a person in a panther costume jumped out of the stands and ran onto the field, tackling Teddy and allowing the other racing presidents to pass him before he hit the finish line. Video by alert youtube user squidpants.

Teddy Chases Pittsburgh’s Giant Pierogies

At a Nationals game against the Pirates on May 3, 2008, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ giant racing pierogies made a surprise appearance by participating in the race along with the presidents. Teddy Roosevelt followed them onto the field and chased them around the warning track yielding a giant knife and fork. Video by Vimeo user Ed.

Teddy Stops to Deliver Flowers on Mother’s Day

In a Mother’s Day game against the Marlins on May 11, 2008, Teddy Roosevelt took a big lead through the right field turn, but regular observers of the presidents race noticed the bouquet of flowers in Teddy’s hand as a sign of impending doom. Sure enough, Teddy turned short of the finish line and entered the stands to deliver the flowers for Mother’s Day, as Abe took the tape. Video by Vimeo user Ed.

Tom Wins on his T-Shirt Tuesday night

In 2008, the Washington Nationals began T-Shirt Tuesdays, a promotion in which the first fans arriving at Nationals Park for Tuesday night home games receive a free t-shirt. Four of the announced dates featured racing presidents t-shirts, and on June 3, 2008, Thomas Jefferson followed George Washington by winning on his T-Shirt Tuesday, causing fans to speculate about Teddy’s chances for his T-Shirt Tuesday on August 12. Video by Vimeo user weinholder.

Panther returns to attack Teddy Roosevelt Again

During a June 5, 2008 game between the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals, Teddy Roosevelt jumped out to a big lead in the presidents race, but was followed out of the centerfield gate by the now-familiar Panther wearing a shirt that said “That Cat!.” The Panther chased Teddy around the warning track, catching him and bringing Teddy to the ground just before he hit the finish line. Video by YouTube user scubasteveo887.

Teddy blows relay race vs. Pirate mascots in Pittsburgh

On June 10, 2008, the Washington Nationals racing presidents took their first road trip with the team, visiting PNC Park in Pittsburgh for a 3-game road series vs. the Pirates. To kick off the series, George, Tom, Abe, and Teddy participated in a relay race against the Pirates’ own racing Pierogies. The Nationals’ presidents had a big lead at the turn, but anchor runner Teddy Roosevelt lost the race in the final leg after running the wrong way. Video by YouTube user psugradgirl.

Teddy is distracted from victory by a toy kangaroo

On June 21, 2008, Teddy took a big presidents race lead into the right field turn, but lost that lead when he ran into the corner of the outfield and emerged with a toy kangaroo. Abe Lincoln dashed by and won the race as Teddy attempted to hop to the finish line. Video by YouTube member VelocityAtrocity.

Teddy is distracted by a person in a penguin costume.

At a Nationals game against the Los Angeles Angels on June 25, 2008, Teddy Roosevelt took a huge lead around the warning track once again, but as he approached the finish line, he was distracted by a person in a penguin costume, following him into the stands and giving up the lead to Abraham Lincoln. Video by Vimeo user Ed.

The Oriole Bird trips Teddy at the finish line.

On Friday, June 27, 2008, the Baltimore Orioles visited Nationals Park for an interleague series. In the opening game, Teddy took a big lead only to be tripped by Oriole mascot The Bird. The following inning, a “press conference” was held announcing an “unsanctioned race” to be held the next night between Teddy Roosevelt and The Bird. YouTube video by dagroovemastah.

Teddy Wins “unsanctioned race” vs. Orioles Bird.

A big crowd showed up on Saturday, June 28 to watch Teddy win his first race at Nationals Park against the imaginatively-named Baltimore Orioles mascot, The Bird. No other presidents were involved in this “unsanctioned race” (which did not count in the presidents race standings, according to the Presidents Racing Association of America). YouTube video by 3031oaktown.

Teddy Loses Shoe and is Hurdled by Abe.

Tuesday, July 8 was Abraham Lincoln’s free T-Shirt Tuesday, so expectations were high for an Abe victory; but Teddy took a huge lead over the other racing presidents and appeared headed for victory. Then as he approached the finish line Teddy lost his shoe and fell. Abe Lincoln hurdled over him to break the tape and win his 24th presidents race of the season. Video by Vimeo member Ed.

Teddy Roosevelt runs the wrong way.

[YouTube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIWchxYbPbU]
On July 11, 2008 in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park, Teddy came out of the presidents race gate headed in the wrong direction, running toward left field instead of right field. He didn’t even make it around to the finish line. Video by YouTube member SchwartzVideo.

Abe wins relay vs. other three presidents.

In August, 2008, with the summer olympics looming and Abe Lincoln in the midst of an unprecedented presidents race winning streak, the Nationals featured a presidents race pitting George, Tom, and Teddy on a relay team vs. the speedy Abe. It was no contest. By the time anchor runner Teddy Roosevelt got the baton from Thomas Jefferson, Abe was crossing the finish line. Video by Vimeo member Ed.

Teddy pulls up lame again!

On August 15 with the NL champion Colorado Rockies in town, Teddy impressed the crowd once again with an early lead, but as he passed the right field bullpen, he pulled up lame and failed to even finish the race. Video by YouTube member timskywalker.

Teddy dresses as Manny Ramirez to welcome the Dodgers

In August, 2008, the Los Angeles Dodgers came to Nationals Park just after a blockbuster trade dealt slugger and future hall-of-famer Manny Ramirez to the team. On the opening night of the series, Teddy Roosevelt emerged for the presidents race wearing Manny Ramirez’s signature blue do-rag and dreadlocks. Teddy took the lead, but was passed after being distracted by enthusiastic fans. Video by YouTube member mercerboy.

Abe, Teddy, and Tom too tired to finish midnight 14th-inning race.

In September, 2008, with the season winding down and the Washington Nationals battling the San Diego Padres for the worst record in the National League, the two teams played a 14-inning game that lasted past midnight. In keeping with Nationals tradition, the racing presidents appeared for a second presidents race in the middle of the 14th inning, but Abe, Teddy, and Tom were too tired to finish, and let George take the tape uncontested. Video by YouTube member Swirlywand.

Presidents Race on Segways.

On the final Sunday game of September, 2008, the Washington Nationals racing presidents appeared from the centerfield gate riding Segway personal transporters. Teddy Roosevelt had the early lead, and with the Segways acting as a speed equalizer, a clear shot at taking home his first uncontested victory; but he lost control at the right field turn and spun in circles while the other racing presidents passed him by. Video by YouTube member jjqb08.